Pattern coated adhesive article

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a adhesive article comprising at least one backing layer with a first and second surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered first surface of the backing layer in a pattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has an adhesive free area of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesive article has a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 2000 g/m 2 /24 hour. The invention also relates to a method of forming an adhesive article comprising (a) providing a release liner, (b) applying pressure sensitive adhesive in a pattern wherein the free adhesive area is less than 25%, and (c) applying a backing layer to the pressure sensitive adhesive. The present invention provides pattern coated adhesive bandages that strongly adhere to human skin while permitting water vapor transmission there through. Accordingly the present invention also provides methods of facilitating the healing of wounds using the pattern coated adhesive bandage. High breathability, as measured by moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), is desirable features of an adhesive bandage in order to prevent maceration of the skin due to trapped moisture, and to enhance comfort during wear of the bandage by the end user.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional patentapplication Serial No. 60/154,583, filed Sep. 17, 1999 entitled “PatternCoated Adhesive Article”.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to a highly breathable pressure sensitiveadhesive article, such as a bandage or tape. More particularly, theinvention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive article having bothgood adhesion and high moisture vapor transmission rate characteristics.In one embodiment, the adhesive article has a backing layer and a rubberbased pressure sensitive adhesive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Adhesive articles, such as bandages and tapes, are well known inthe art and are commonly used as first aid wound dressings and othermedical applications. Conventional adhesive bandages contain a centralpad area (padstock) surrounded by adhesive areas. Particularly, adhesivebandages or tapes generally contain an elongated strip of cloth orplastic backing layer which has a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onone surface. A gauze or sponge pad is secured to the adhesive surface ina central location thereby serving as a wound covering material. Thewound facing surface of the pad may be plastic coated or otherwisetreated to prevent the padstock from adhering to the wound. Releasestrips are placed over the adhesive areas and typically the woundcovering padstock and the entire assembly is enclosed in a sealedpackage and sterilized so as to be ready for use.

[0004] A disadvantage of adhesive articles in medical application ismaceration. Normal human skin releases about 500 g/m²/24 hours of waterin a resting state. When the water released by the skin is unable toevaporate then the skin becomes white in color and prune-like inappearance. After some time, the integrity of the skin could beweakened. Also the time for healing is the wound is often extended.

[0005] Rubber based pressure sensitive adhesives have the advantages ofhigh adhesion and relatively low cost. The high adhesion is achievedwithout application of significant amounts of pressure. However, rubberbased adhesives can be disadvantageous because they have inherently lowbreathability (i.e. low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR)).Therefore, such disadvantageous properties make rubber based adhesivesgenerally unsuitable for skin contacting bandage applications.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,457 relates to a vented wound dressing madeof a thin vapor-permeable sheet material having a pressure sensitiveadhesive coating, the coating having repeating adhesive free areas. Theadhesive covers at least 50% of the surface area of the thinvapor-permeable sheet material.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,506 relates to a medical patch material madeof a support coated with a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive coatingusing the gravure printing method. The medical patch material requiresan adhesive-free area of at least 30% (between 30% and 60%), an adhesivecoat weight between 30 and 160 g/m², and a block copolymer adhesivehaving certain properties to achieve an MVTR of at least 2,000 g/m²/24hours.

[0008] Canadian Patent 2,045,247 relates to a wound dressing made of athin film carrying a discontinuous coating of a pressure sensitiveadhesive, such as a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive, in such amanner so as to define adhesive-free areas. The film has an MVTR of atleast 50 g/m²/24 hours, and preferably 500 g/m²/24 hours.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention relates to an adhesive article comprising at leastone backing layer with a first and second surface and a pressuresensitive adhesive layer adhered to the first surface of the backinglayer in a pattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has anadhesive-free area of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesivearticle has a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 2000g/m²/24 hour. The invention also relates to a method of forming anadhesive article comprising (a) providing a release liner, (b) applyingpressure sensitive adhesive in a pattern wherein the free adhesive areais less than 25%, and (c) applying a backing layer to the pressuresensitive adhesive.

[0010] The present invention provides for an adhesive article thatstrongly adheres to human skin while permitting water vapor transmissionthere through; thus, not causing or exacerbating wound and skinproblems. Accordingly the present invention also provides methods offacilitating the healing of wounds using the adhesive article. Thepresent invention achieves MVTR values of greater than about 2000g/m²/24 hours with adhesive-free areas of less than about 25%. Not onlyis high breathability achieved, but also the high level of adhesivecoverage allows for improved adhesion to skin due to greater surfacecontact between adhesive and skin.

[0011] This invention relates to a highly breathable pressure sensitiveadhesive bandage that is manufactured using pattern coating of aninexpensive, non-breathable pressure sensitive adhesive. Highbreathability, as measured by moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR),is desirable features of an adhesive bandage in order to preventmaceration of the skin due to trapped moisture, and to enhance comfortduring wear of the bandage by the end user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a top view of the backing layer and the patternedadhesive.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of the backing layer and the patternedadhesive.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the adhesive article.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional area of the adhesive article with thewound covering layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As discussed above the adhesive articles are useful as medicalbandages and/or medical tapes. The articles have a moisture vaportransmission rate of at least about 2000 g/m²/24 hour. In oneembodiment, the moisture vapor transmission rate is at least about 2500g/m²/24 hour. In another embodiment, the moisture vapor transmissionrate is at least about 3000 g/m²/24 hour, and in yet another embodiment,at least about 5000 g/m²/24 hour. The present articles even have vaportransmission rates of 7,000 g/m²/24 hour or higher. The water vaportransmission rate is determined by ASTM F-1249-90.

[0017] The articles also have an adhesive-free area of less than about25%. In one embodiment, the adhesive-free area is in the range of about5% to about 25%. In another embodiment, the adhesive-free area is in therange of about 7% to about 20%, and in another embodiment, in the rangeof about 8% to about 17%. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive-freearea is in the range of about 10% to about 15%. Here and elsewhere inthe claims and specification, the range and ratio limits may becombined.

[0018] The adhesive-free area is determined by actual measurement of theareas of the backing layer that are free of adhesive. It is recognizedthat the adhesive can flow some during application. The term

adhesive-free

refers to the part of the article which is the exposed backing layerwithout adhesive. The adhesive-free area is determined by using anOlympus SZH zoom stereo telescope and Image-Pro Plus software. A Pulnixvideo camera, and television monitor are used to capture the image andthe software is used to measure the part of the backing area withoutadhesive. The area of the backing layer that is adhesive-free is dividedby the total area of the backing layer sample and multiplied by 100 toyield the adhesive-free area of the sample.

[0019] The adhesive articles according to the present invention containa backing layer having a first and second side. An adhesive is adheredto the first side of the backing layer in a pattern. To achieve highMVTR, the adhesive is applied to the film backing in a discontinuouspattern so that there are adhesive coated areas and adhesive-free areas.The adhesive coated areas allow for adhesion of the bandage to the skin,while the adhesive-free areas allow moisture vapor to pass through,thereby simultaneously achieving high breathability and good wearperformance using relatively low cost materials.

[0020] The backing layer material may be any suitable polymeric film,plastic foam (including open celled foam), a woven fabric, knittedfabric or a non-woven fabric. The fabrics may be natural or syntheticmaterials. The backing layer possesses at least some breathability.

[0021] In one embodiment, a porous backing layer is employed. Forexample, in one embodiment, the backing layer is an apertured polymericfilm, such as polyolefin film, a non-woven, cloth fabric, or the like.It is noted that the discontinuous adhesive pattern according to theinvention also enhances the breathability of products that do not haveporous backings, as long as the backing itself has some inherentbreathability, such as in the case with polyurethane films. When anapertured film or foam is used, a plurality of apertures aligns with theadhesive free areas. In one embodiment, there are from about 2 to about15 apertures per each adhesive-free area. In another embodiment, thereare about 3 to about 8, or from 4 to about 6 apertures per eachadhesive-free area.

[0022] Examples of materials suitable for use as a backing layer orstrip include polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylenepropylene copolymers, and ethylene butylene copolymers, polyurethanes,polyurethane foams, polystyrenes, plasticized polyvinylchlorides,polyesters, polyamides, and cotton. The plastic film may be in the formof a sheet or foam strip. Specific examples include Platilon UO4, whichis a polyurethane film having a thickness of about 25 micronmanufactured by Atochem. Another useful and preferred backing layer is a3.3. mil apertured polyolefin film, available commercially from TredegarFilm Products under the trade name X6989.

[0023] The backing layer is preferably flexible yet resistant totearing. In one embodiment, the thickness of the backing layer of theadhesive article of the present invention is from about 0.1 mil to about50 mils. In another embodiment, the thickness of the backing layer isfrom about 0.5 mil to about 20. In another embodiment, the thickness ofthe backing layer is from about 0.7 mil to about 10 mils. In yet anotherembodiment, the thickness of the backing layer is from about 1 mil toabout 5 mils.

[0024] The backing layer may be opaque or translucent. Normally it has askin color, but “designer” colors and patterns, as well as cartooncharacter designs, are becoming popular. It may be solid or porous,permeable or perforated, as adapted for the requirements of the productapplication, as well as being a function of the composition and form ofthe backing material. In one embodiment, the adhesive article ispigmented and reduces the visibility of the pattern coating.

[0025] In one embodiment, the backing layer is substantially imperviousto liquid, especially wound exudate. In yet another embodiment, thebacking layer is substantially impervious to bacteria. In anotherembodiment, the backing layer is capable of absorbing liquid, especiallywound exudate. In another embodiment, perforations or small apertures inthe backing layer facilitate high breathability.

[0026] The adhesive of the present invention forms a pattern on thebacking layer. The adhesive may be applied in any number of patterns.For example, one potential pattern would be a sine wave using either asmooth pattern (rounded waves) or a sharp pattern (triangle shapedwaves) closely packed together. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesiveforms a continuous network so that the adhesive-free areas are notinterconnected. In this embodiment, moisture is substantially preventedfrom seeping into and under the bandage through adhesive free channelsat the edges of the bandage during wear. Additionally, adhesive articleis less likely to fall off from the adverse affects of moisture.Moreover, this embodiment minimizes having adhesive-free areas aroundthe edge of the bandage that could decrease adhesion performance bycreating a site for edge lift. The adhesive layer is typically presentin coat weight from about 10 to about 80, or from about 15 to about 70,or from about 20 to 60 grams per square meter (gsm).

[0027] For example, one specific embodiment of a preferred adhesivepattern would be that of a “honeycomb” design. The “honeycomb” designmay be achieved in any suitable manner using various adhesive-freeshapes in various configurations. For example, the adhesive-free areasare in the form of circular dots, hexagonal dots, square dots, or anygeometrical shape. These dots are configured so that they line up inrows or are offset between rows. In a preferred embodiment, thehexagonal dot that is offset between rows tends to achieve the desiredbalance between adhesion coverage and adhesive-free areas.

[0028] The adhesive article may be further described by reference to theaccompanying drawings. FIG. 1 has adhesive article 10 with the backinglayer containing adhesive layer 11 and adhesive free area 12. Thepattern may by prepared by any means know to those in the art. Thepattern could be formed by spraying the pressure sensitive adhesive orby melt blowing the pressure sensitive adhesive. The pattern could beformed by printing the adhesive. The printing may be any means that canform the pattern. Examples of useful printing means include gravure,lithographic, screen, or flexographic printing.

[0029] As stated above, suitable techniques to apply the adhesive inthis discontinuous pattern include gravure coating, spray coating, meltblowing, flexographic printing such as offset flexographic printing orscreen printing of adhesives. An added benefit of the printingtechniques is the potential to design areas of concentrated adhesive forparticular effects. For example, more adhesive could be applied only inthe portion of the bandage that receives the padstock to aid inadherence of the padstock to the backing material. This embodiment isfurther illustrated in FIG. 2. Article 20 has adhesive layer 21 andadhesive free areas 22. In region 23, there is a higher level ofadhesive to provide better adhesion of the wound covering layer.

[0030] The adhesive of the present medical bandage or tape may be anymedical grade adhesive. The medical adhesives include suitable acrylicbased pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), suitable rubber basedpressure sensitive adhesives and suitable silicone pressure sensitiveadhesives.

[0031] Useful rubber based PSAs include those taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,705,551 (Sasaki et al.) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,348 (Korpman), thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Examples ofpolymeric rubber bases include one or more of styrene-isoprene-styrenepolymers, styrene-olefin-styrene polymers includingstyrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene polymers, polyisobutylene,styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, naturalrubber, silicone rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, nitrile rubber,polyurethane rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, butyl rubber, halobutylrubber including bromobutyl rubber, butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber,polychloroprene, and styrene-butadiene rubber.

[0032] A particularly useful rubber based adhesive is that which has athermoplastic elastomeric component and a resin component. Thethermoplastic elastomeric component contains about 55-85 parts of asimple A-B block copolymer wherein the A-blocks are derived from styrenehomologs and the B-blocks are derived from isoprene, and about 15-45parts of a linear or radical A-B-A block copolymer wherein the A-blocksare derived from styrene or styrene homologs and the B-blocks arederived from conjugated dienes or lower alkenes, the A-blocks in the A-Bblock copolymer constituting about 10-18 percent by weight of the A-Bcopolymer and the total A-B and A-B-A copolymers containing about 20percent or less styrene. The resin component consists of essentially oftackifier resins for the elastomeric component. In general anycompatible conventional tackifier resin or mixture of such resins may beused. These include hydrocarbon resins, rosin and rosin derivatives,polyterpenes and other tackifiers. The adhesive composition containsabout 20-300 parts of the resin component per one hundred parts byweight of the thermoplastic elastomeric component. One such rubber basedadhesive is commercially available from Ato Findley under the trade nameHM3210.

[0033] Useful acrylic based PSAs include those taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,947,917 (Carte), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,444 (Bernard, acrylicemulsion), U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,011 (Bernard, tackified acrylicemulsion). It can also be radiation curable mixture of monomers withinitiators and other ingredients such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,232,958 (Ang, UV cured acrylic) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,958 (Mallya etal, EB cured). The disclosures of these patents and the pendingapplication as they relate to acrylic adhesives are hereby incorporatedby reference.

[0034] It is contemplated that any acrylic based polymer capable offorming an adhesive layer with sufficient tack to adhere to thefacestock, the release liner or to a substrate, and with acceptableadhesion to skin, may function in the present invention. In certainembodiments, the acrylic polymers for the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayers include those formed from polymerization of at least one alkylacrylate monomer or methacrylate, an unsaturated carboxylic acid andoptionally a vinyl lactam. Examples of suitable alkyl acrylate ormethacrylate esters include, but are not limited to, butyl acrylate,ethyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, isononylacrylate, isodecyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, methylbutyl acrylate,4-methyl-2-pentyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate,isodecyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, and the like, and mixturesthereof. Examples of suitable ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acidsinclude, but are not limited to, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaricacid, itaconic acid, and the like, and mixtures thereof. A preferredethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer is acrylic acid.Examples of suitable vinyl lactams include, but are not limited to,N-vinyl caprolactam, 1-vinyl-2-piperidone,1-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, vinyl pyrrolidone, and the like, andmixtures thereof.

[0035] The adhesive may also include a tackifier. Tackifiers, aregenerally hydrocarbon resins, wood resins, rosins, rosin derivatives,and the like. It is contemplated that any tackifier known by those ofskill in the art to be compatible with elastomeric polymer compositionsmay be used with the present embodiment of the invention. One suchtackifier, found to be useful is Wingtak 10, a synthetic polyterpeneresin that is liquid at room temperature, and sold by the Goodyear Tireand Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio. Wingtak 95 is a synthetic tackifierresin also available from Goodyear that comprises predominantly apolymer derived from piperylene and isoprene. Other suitable tackifyingadditives may include Escorez 1310, an aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, andEscorez 2596, a C₅-C₉ (aromatic modified aliphatic) resin, bothmanufactured by Exxon of Irving, Tex. Of course, as can be appreciatedby those of skill in the art, a variety of different tackifyingadditives may be used to practice the present invention.

[0036] In addition to the tackifiers other additions may be included inthe PSAs to impart desired properties. For example, plasticizers may beincluded and they are known to decrease the glass transition temperatureof an adhesive composition containing elastomeric polymers. An exampleof a useful plasticizer is Shellflex 371, a naphthenic processing oilavailable from Shell Oil Company of Houston, Tex. Antioxidants also maybe included on the adhesive compositions. Suitable antioxidants includeIrgafos 168 and Irganox 565 available from Ciba-Geigy, Hawthorne, N.Y.Cutting agents such as waxes and surfactants also may be included in theadhesives.

[0037] Other optional materials which may be added to the adhesive layerin minor amounts (typically less than about 25% by weight of theelastomeric phase) include pH controllers, medicaments, bactericides,growth factors, wound healing components such as collagen, antioxidants,deodorants, perfumes, antimicrobials and fungicides.

[0038] Useful silicone pressure sensitive adhesives include thosecommercially available from Dow Corning Corp., Medical Products andthose available from General Electric. Examples of silicone adhesivesavailable from Dow Corning include those sold under the trade namesBIO-PSA X7-3027, BIO-PSA X7-4919, BIO-PSA X7-2685, BIO-PSA X7-3122 andBIO-PSA X7-4502. Additional examples of silicone pressure sensitiveadhesives useful in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,591,622, 4,584,355, 4,585,836 and 4,655,767, incorporated hereinby reference.

[0039] The adhesive article may be further described by reference to theaccompanying drawings. FIG. 1 has adhesive article 10 with the backinglayer containing adhesive layer 11 and adhesive free area 12. Thepattern may be prepared by any means know to those in the art. Thepattern could be formed by spraying the pressure sensitive adhesive orby melt blowing the pressure sensitive adhesive. The pattern could beformed by printing the adhesive. The printing may be any means that canfor the pattern. Examples of useful printing means include gravure,lithographic, screen, or flexographic printing.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a cross section of an adhesive article. Article 30, hasbacking layer 31 which is adhered to adhesive 32 which has a patternincluding adhesive-free areas 33. The adhesive 32 in turn is releasablyadhered to release liner 32.

[0041]FIG. 4 illustrates an adhesive article with a wound coveringlayer. Article 40 has backing layer 41 that is adhered to patternedadhesive 42, including adhesive-free areas 43. The adhesive in turn isadhered, in part and releasably to release liner 45 and also, in part,to wound covering layer 44. It should be noted that the wound coveringlayer and the release liner may also be in contact. The wound coveringlayer may be any of those know in the art. These include absorbentmaterials such as fiber containing webs, gauze, etc. The fibercontaining webs may be those made from rayon and polypropylene. Forexample, fiber containing webs include those with 70% rayon and 30%polypropylene and 50% rayon and 50% polypropylene. The wound coveringlayer of FIG. 4 covers a portion of the adhesive article. The articlemay be in the form of strips or rectangular bandages or island bandages.

[0042] When the adhesive article is used as a tape, then a releasecoating is placed on the second surface of the backing layer. Therelease coating may be any of those know in the art. These includesprayed silicone release coating. The release coating prevents theadhesion of the adhesive layer to the second surface of the backinglayer.

EXAMPLES

[0043] The invention will be described in greater detail by thefollowing examples.

Examples 1A-1C

[0044] Hot melt rubber based pressure sensitive adhesive, HM3210 fromAto Findley, was applied in a “honey comb” pattern onto a siliconizedrelease liner by offset flexographic printing. The pattern was formed sothat the adhesive covered 85-90% of the surface area of the releaseliner, with the remaining 10-15% of the surface area being free ofadhesive. The coat weight of the adhesive is 40 grams per square meter(gsm). The adhesive coated liner is then laminated to a 3.3 milapertured polyolefin film, X6989 from Tredegar Film Products. Rolls ofthe laminate material are then converted via a die cutting process inwhich the absorbent pad and finger tabs are applied, and the materialcut to form the adhesive bandage strips.

Example 2

[0045] Adhesive strips are prepared substantially in accordance withExample 1, except that the hot melt rubber based PSA was applied to therelease liner by spray coating the adhesive onto the release liner in apattern so that the adhesive covered 85-90% of the surface area of therelease liner and the coat weight was 40 gsm. The adhesive coated linerwas then laminated to the apertured polyolefin film.

Example 3

[0046] Adhesive strips are prepared substantially in accordance withExample 1, except that the hot melt rubber based PSA was applied to therelease liner by screen printing the adhesive onto the release liner ina pattern so that the adhesive covered 85-90% of the surface area of therelease liner and the coat weight was 40 gsm. The adhesive coated linerwas then laminated to the apertured polyolefin film.

Example 4

[0047] Adhesive strips are prepared substantially in accordance withExample 1, except that the hot melt rubber based PSA was applied to therelease liner by gravure printing the adhesive onto the release liner ina pattern so that the adhesive covered 85-90% of the surface area of therelease liner and the coat weight was 40 gsm. The adhesive coated linerwas then laminated to the apertured polyolefin film.

Example 5

[0048] Adhesive strips are prepared substantially in accordance withExample 1, except that the hot melt rubber based PSA was applied to therelease liner by flexographic printing the adhesive onto the releaseliner in a pattern so that the adhesive covered 85-90% of the surfacearea of the release liner and the coat weight was 40 gsm. The adhesivecoated liner was then laminated to the apertured polyolefin film.

Example 6

[0049] Adhesive strips are prepared substantially in accordance withExample 1, except that the hot melt rubber based PSA was applied to therelease liner by lithographcic printing the adhesive onto the releaseliner in a pattern so that the adhesive covered 85-90% of the surfacearea of the release liner and the coat weight was 40 gsm. The adhesivecoated liner was then laminated to the apertured polyolefin film.

Comparative Example A

[0050] Adhesive strips are prepared substantially in accordance withExamples 1-6, except that the hot melt rubber based PSA was applied tothe release liner by slot die caoting the adhesive onto the surface areaof the release liner. With this method, the adhesive was extruded in auniform thin layer onto the release liner. The coat weight of theadhesive was 35 gsm. The adhesive coated liner was then laminated to theapertured polyolefin film.

Comparative Example B

[0051] Adhesive bandage strips commercially available as BAND-AID BrandSheer bandages were tested for comparative purposes. These bandagescontain an acrylic emulsion adhesive coated onto a vinyl backing.

[0052] Samples of adhesive strips of the foregoing examples were testedfor moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). Several samples were firstsubjected to aging conditions at higher temperature and relativehumidity, and then evaluated using the foregoing tests. Table I setsforth the test results for the various samples. TABLE 1 MVTR ExampleSample Condition g/m²/day 1A 1 Initial 10411 2 4 wks 9587.5 25 C/60 RH 34 wks 9476.5 40 C/75 RH 4 4 wks 9248 50 C 5 8 wks 11132 40 C/75 RH 6 8wks 10500.5 50 C 7 13 wks 7966.1 25 C/60 RH 8 13 wks 8310.3 40 C/75 RH 913 wks 8261.5 50 C 1B 1 Initial 8484.5 2 4 wks 8020.5 25 C/60 RH 3 4 wks9465.5 40 C/75 RH 4 4 wks 9463.5 50 C 5 8 wks 9458.5 40 C/75 RH 6 8 wks9803.5 50 C 7 13 wks 8886.8 25 C/60 RH 8 13 wks 32636.8 40 C/75 RH 9 13wks 35850.7 50 C 1C 1 Initial 6883 2 4 wks 775.6 25 C/60 RH 3 4 wks898.7 40 C/75 RH 4 4 wks 1013.2 50 C Comp. 1 282.5 Ex. A 2 230 3 109 4145 5 294.5 6 149 Comp. 1 Commercial 4740 Ex. B product

[0053] While the invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various modificationsthereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon readingthe specification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventiondisclosed herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adhesive article comprising at least onebacking layer with a first and second surface and a pressure sensitiveadhesive layer adhered to the first surface of the backing layer in apattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has an adhesive freearea of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesive article has amoisture vapor transmission rate of greater than about 2000 g/m²/24hour.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein the backing layer comprises awoven, a non-woven, or knitted fabric.
 3. The article of claim 1 whereinthe backing layer comprises a polymeric film or a foam.
 4. The articleof claim 3 wherein the backing layer comprises an apertured film orfoam.
 5. The article of claim 3 wherein the backing layer comprises anapertured polymeric film.
 6. The article of claim 5 wherein the backinglayer comprises an apertured polyolefin film.
 7. The article of claim 1wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a rubber-based oracrylic pressure sensitive adhesive.
 8. The article of claim 1 whereinthe pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a rubber-based adhesive. 9.The article of claim 1 further comprising a wound contacting layeradhered to the pressure sensitive adhesive.
 10. The article of claim 9wherein the wound contacting layer comprises (i) a web with fibers or(ii) gauze.
 11. The article of claim 1 further comprising a siliconerelease liner releaseably adhered to the pressure sensitive adhesivelayer.
 12. The article of claim 1 further comprising a release coatingon the second surface of the backing layer.
 13. The article of claim 1wherein the adhesive-free area is from about 5% to about 20%.
 14. Thearticle of claim 1 wherein the moisture vapor transmission rate isgreater than about 3000 g/m²/24 hour.
 15. The article of claim 1 whereinthe moisture vapor transmission rate is greater than about 7000 g/m2 /24hour.
 16. An adhesive article comprising at least one aperturedpolymeric backing layer having a first and second surface and a pressuresensitive adhesive layer adhered to the first surface of the backinglayer in a pattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has anadhesive free area of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesivearticle has a moisture vapor transmission rate of greater than about2000 g/m²/24 hour.
 17. The article of claim 16 wherein the backing layeris derived from an apertured polyolefin film.
 18. The article of claim16 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a rubber-based oracrylic pressure sensitive adhesive.
 19. The article of claim 16 furthercomprising a wound contacting layer adhered to the pressure sensitiveadhesive.
 20. The article of claim 16 further comprising a siliconerelease liner releasably adhered to the pressure sensitive adhesive. 21.The article of claim 16 further comprising a release coating on thesecond surface of the backing layer.
 22. The article of claim 16 whereinthe adhesive-free area is from about 8% to about 17%.
 23. The article ofclaim 16 wherein the moisture vapor transmission rate is greater thanabout 2500 g/m²/24 hour.
 24. A method of forming an adhesive articlecomprising (a) providing a release liner having an upper surface, (b)applying pressure sensitive adhesive in a pattern onto the upper surfaceof said release liner, wherein the adhesive-free area of the uppersurface of said release liner is less than 25% of the total surface areaof said upper surface, and (c) applying a backing layer to the pressuresensitive adhesive.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising thestep of adhering a wound contacting layer to a portion of the pressuresensitive adhesive.
 26. The method of claim 24 wherein the pattern isformed with gravure printing, flexographic printing, screen printing orspraying.
 27. The method of claim 24 wherein the pattern is formed byflexographic printing a honeycomb pattern.
 28. A method of facilitatingwound healing comprising the steps of providing the adhesive article ofclaim 9 and covering a wound with the article.
 29. A method offacilitating wound healing comprising the steps of providing theadhesive article of claim 19 and covering a wound with the article.